A former judge in the United Kingdom known most recently for forcing Apple (AAPL) to issue a public apology after calling Samsung’s (005930) Galaxy Tab an iPad copy, has reportedly been hired by Samsung to join its legal team. Judge Robin Jacob had retired in 2011, but as FOSS Patents explains, ex-judges can still be invited to sit on the bench in the UK, and he presided over the case that ended up in a decision favoring Samsung. The South Korean company seemingly appreciated the decision — and it likely also took notice when the judge slammed Apple for having a “lack of integrity” — so Samsung has now hired Jacob to assist with its various patent battles.

UPDATE: Samsung has denied hiring Jacob in a statement issued to reporters. “Sir Robin Jacob is not a legal representative of Samsung Electronics,” the company said. Instead, he has been contracted by an outside firm that is currently representing Samsung in a case against Ericsson.